You’ve seen them. Dangling from Jacquemus bags. Grinning from the cupholder of a G-Class. Even photobombing mirror selfies in designer fitting rooms. Yes, Labubu, that wide-eyed, goblin-cute creature from the Pop Mart universe—has officially taken over our adult lives. And apparently, our grip on reality too. What started as a collectible toy is now a fully-fledged emotional support system, a statement piece, and (somehow?) a personality trait.
Welcome to the Age of Designer Dependency.
At first, it might seem like just another trend. But look closer, and Labubu is quietly tapping into something deeper: our need for comfort in an overstimulated world. When adulthood gets too loud, weirdly shaped vinyl figures become the equivalent of a weighted blanket with a face.
Psychologists call this a transitional object, a term coined to describe the blanket or teddy bear a child clings to while facing change. We call it a Labubu on a Prada strap.
Reclaiming the Inner Child, One Collab at a Time
Sure, there’s a whiff of nostalgia here, but it’s not just about remembering simpler times. It’s about reclaiming something we’ve lost: playfulness, softness, the audacity to carry a toy into a work meeting and not feel weird about it. Labubu has become the Gen Z talisman. Like a Tamagotchi reboot with better styling and a lot more clout.
Cute, Collectible… and Kind of Concerning?
But here’s the twist. As endearing as it all is, are we perhaps veering a little too far into emotional consumerism? Have our inner children formed a shopping club behind our backs?
Let’s Not Be Victims of Everything We See
Listen. We love a good trend. We’ve Instagrammed our oat milk, worn the mesh ballet flats, and nodded solemnly at blurry mirror selfies. But this? Carrying toys like emotional crutches in the name of fashion?
We’re calling it: It’s time to put Labubu down.
Not because it’s cringe. But because we’re tired of being victims of everything we scroll past. So go ahead, love your Labubu. Hug it at night. Post about it if you must. But remember, even your inner child deserves better than falling for the algorithm’s next plush trap.
ALSO READ: NUDITY IS OFFICIALLY BANNED ON THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL RED CARPET.
